PVD coatings for injection moulding tools
Injection molding is the process of heating plastic granules to melting point before injecting them at high pressure through a nozzle into a mould. Once the plastic has cooled, the part can be ejected. Injection moulding is usually used when the parts are too complex or cost prohibitive to machine. Injection moulding produces many parts out of the same mould.
PVD coated injection moulds - Reduce manufacturing costs
Injection moulds are expensive to produce and injection moulding equipment can be costly to run hence anything that reduces costs must be looked into. The service lives of injection moulds is significantly improved when coated with PVD coatings. This along with shorter cycle times increases productivity and reduces unit costs saves companies money.
PVD coated injection moulds - Reduce injection mould release force
PVD coatings reduce sticking. This can mean that release agents are completely eliminated.
PVD coated injection moulds - Offer increased wear resistance
Often highly abrasive melts are used. PVD coated moulds have greater wear resistance and therefore last longer, reducing downtime.
PVD coated injection moulds - Offer improved injection mould filling
PVD coatings improve mould filling as the melt flows longer. Sink marking is reduced as the injection pressure remains effective for longer.
PVD coated injection moulds - Improve quality of the injection moulded products
As a result of the improved mould filling, reduced distortion and improved surface finish the parts that are produced with PVD coated injection moulds are of better quality and the rejection rate is reduced.
PVD coated injection moulds - Easier to clean
The deposits after an injection moulding process are reduced and can be easily removed.
PVD coated injection moulds - Can be run dry
The injection mould parts are protected against scuffing or seizure without the need for expensive lubricants.
傳統的真空濺鍍技術的工作溫度大約在150℃以上,所以只能應用在玻璃基板或是金屬基板上,主要應用在以下幾個產業:
目前比較熱門的低溫真空濺鍍的工作溫度約在60℃的左右,因此可以應用在塑膠或是壓克力基板上,主要應用在汽機車零組件、家庭五金、食品包裝材料、生技醫療器材、太陽能吸收板、光通訊元件、數位相機等業務範圍。
目前台灣有仕欽(6232)以及柏騰科技(3518)應用低溫真空濺鍍技術於EMI Shielding(防電磁波干擾)鍍膜、外觀鍍膜、導電玻璃鍍膜及導光板鍍膜等等。
而相關的本土設備商有以下幾家,由於應用面相當廣,或許也是台灣發展PVD自有設備的起點。
凌嘉科技
仕貫真空
鈺衡科技